Starting courses – don’t forget…
Topic Focus
To look at ways of managing expectations from the outset.
45 minutes
On the first day of the course, it is a very good idea to ensure your trainee teachers have a summary of what the course entails. This ensures that they know exactly what is expected of them, what they should expect from you and how they can get the most from the course. Once they have read this document, they should sign it.
Task 1: The first day - what do participants need to know?
Think about the first day of a teacher training course – or indeed the first day of a language course. What do your course participants need to know?
For example: When is the school open from and to?
Here are our ideas – compare your ideas. Which ones are relevant in your context?
- When do you work – that is, what are your office hours?
- How much support is available?
- When are the course deadlines?
- How are trainee teachers assessed?
- What should trainee teachers do if they can’t attend a session?
- How can trainee teachers find their way around the building – such as finding the toilet or resources room?
- What happens in an emergency?
- How can the wifi be accessed?
- How can trainees use other technology such as printers?
Why do you think these questions are important? Can you add anything?
Task 2: Plagiarism
What is plagiarism? Why do you think it could be an issue on a teacher training course?
Look at this webpage from a language school.
What information does it give you about plagiarism?
Is plagiarism a problem in your context?
Task 3: Candidate agreement forms
On the first day of the course, it is a very good idea to ensure your trainee teachers have a summary of what the course entails. This ensures that they know exactly what is expected of them, what they should expect from you and how they can get the most from the course. Once they have read this document, they should sign it.
Spend some time thinking about the following question and make a note of your answers in your journal.
What would you expect to include in a candidate agreement form?
Task 4: Reflection - steal an idea!
Now look at this example of a candidate agreement form.